Black Voices: News, Culture & Community from Across the Nation
By Ovia Kalki Sarangan
OFA Sun Reporter Intern
Brooke Jenkins is our District Attorney of San Francisco, having stepped into the role in 2022 after being appointed by the mayor.
She became widely known for helping lead the campaign to recall the previous DA, Chesa Boudin, arguing that the city needed a firmer approach to crime and public safety.
Today, I met our current DA through my OFA Academy Journalism internship. She came into the classroom wearing a bright red suit and an even brighter smile. I had the opportunity to introduce her, and Jenkins talked about how she uses journalism to promote the campaigns and programs she’s implemented to improve the city, stating that her team typically works with journalists who are proven to provide neutrality. She answered our questions, including one about the struggles of being a political figure with children who can look her up online and see the things said about her.
DA Jenkins shared many things, but two of her anecdotes stood out to me. The first was about the time her seven-year-old daughter searched her up online. Jenkins said she felt guilty that her daughter couldn’t even look up her own mom without seeing negative comments. The second story was a little longer, but it was my favorite. Jenkins had convicted protesters who blocked the Bay Bridge for five hours, delaying the transportation of vital organs and preventing surgeons from getting to work. In retaliation, some of the protesters spray-painted an expletive directed at Brooke Jenkins. Her daughter saw the graffiti, which led to a very awkward explanation of the events that led up to it.
Brooke Jenkins is a cheery, smart, and kind woman. I love how she isn’t afraid to speak her mind or defend her actions, even in the face of critics. She seems truly dedicated to reforming the justice system and cracking down on crime. Since Jenkins was elected to office, crime overall in San Francisco has gone down, and I’m eager to see this trend continue.
DA Jenkins often visits San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in an effort to improve the lives of people already convicted of crimes, which I think is really cool. I would like to support her in any of her future endeavors — even though I can’t vote yet.
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